This lighthearted sports comedy, helmed by producer-star Jake Johnson, offers a humorous take on the world of pickleball, exploring how this seemingly simple game, often dismissed as a pastime for children and seniors, poses a threat to the prestige of traditional tennis.
Dusty, portrayed by Johnson, is a middle-aged man living in a state of delusion, bearing the nickname The Hammer. Once a promising tennis player, he suffered a crushing defeat in his youth at the hands of a young Andy Roddick, who makes a brief appearance as himself. Currently, Dusty serves as a coach at his father’s tennis club, where he faces constant disdain from his father, played by Ed Harris. However, Dusty’s only source of dignity comes from his vehement dislike for pickleball, which has been begrudgingly allowed a small court at the club. His disdain leads to a comedic encounter with Candace, a pickleball enthusiast played by Mary Steenburgen.
When Dusty’s doctor, played by Ben Stiller, recommends pickleball as a rehabilitation method for a wrist injury, he finds himself unexpectedly enjoying the sport. The game’s slower pace and emphasis on the “dink” drop shot appeal to him, and he also develops a fondness for Candace, despite the film’s reluctance to fully address the implications of their age difference.
As is customary in sports comedies, tennis legend John McEnroe makes a memorable cameo, providing amusing commentary during the climactic showdown between Dusty and Roddick. The film also features Australian comedian Aaron Chen as Dusty’s awkwardly submissive friend PJ, and Patton Oswalt as a devoted pickleball fan named Slip. While the film has its share of laughs, fans of 30 Rock may find Chris Parnell’s role rather underwhelming compared to his memorable character in Tina Fey’s iconic series.
